Key input device

ABSTRACT

A key inputting device includes a vowel switch for inputting vowels, and consonant switches for inputting consonants. The vowel switch is displacable in five directions, each consonant switch is displacable in three directions, and displacement directions of each switch are allotted to each letter of alphabet corresponding to at least a movement of articulatory organs when pronouncing each letter, that is, a movement or a location of a jaw, a throat, a tongue, lips. The vowel switch is operationable by a thumb, and the consonant switches are operationable by an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger, and a little finger, respectively.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a key inputting device. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a key inputting devicecapable of at least inputting a letter, and used for a computerkeyboard, an operation key of a handheld terminal, and etc.

PRIOR ART

[0002] In a key inputting device of such the kind of the prior art, asis represented by a mobile telephone, an alphabet, a kana (Japanesesyllabary), and etc. are allotted to each key of a ten-key forminimizing an apparatus. A user changes an inputting mode, for example,so as to input a letter such as the alphabet, the kana, a katakana(square form of the kana) or numbers.

[0003] In addition, in a handheld terminal such as a PDA, an electronicnotebook, and etc., it is possible to input the letter by a stylus pen,and reduce the number of the keys for inputting the letter. This allowsto render the terminal itself small to a certain degree, hence anadvantage.

[0004] However, of the prior arts, in the former, although it ispossible to input a desired letter by depressing the ten-key, forexample, there are a plurality of letters allotted to one key, andtherefore, it is needed to depress the same key for a plural number oftimes when inputting the desired letter. That is, the operation istroublesome, and takes time to input the letter.

[0005] On the other hand, in the latter, a troublesome key inputting isalmost not required as in the former. It, however, took time torecognize a hand-written letter, and is highly probable to make an errorin recognizing the letter. Thus, it takes time to confirm and correct arecognizing result. Furthermore, it is necessary to memorize a specialletter system for the inputting, and master the skill, too. In addition,in order to input the letter, it is needed to hold (support) thehandheld terminal with one hand, and hold a pen with the other hand,thus the both hands are occupied. This leads to a problem that a userwho carries a luggage is hindered from operating the handheld terminalwhen the user stays outdoors. As a result, the operation becomestroublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Therefore, it is a primary object of the present invention toprovide a novel key inputting device.

[0007] It is another object of the present invention to provide a keyinputting device easy to master, and operationable at a high speed.

[0008] The present invention is a key inputting device provided with aplurality of switches for inputting a plurality of letters, and capableof at least inputting the letter by operating one, or two or moreswitches. Each of the plurality of switches is displacable in aplurality of directions, and displacement directions of each switch areallotted to the direction at least determined by a movement ofarticulatory organs at a time of pronouncing each letter.

[0009] The key inputting device is provided with a plurality of switchesfor inputting a plurality of letters. A vowel switch for inputting avowel and consonant switches for inputting consonants are provided, forexample. Each of a plurality of such the switches is displacable in aplurality of directions, and a relationship between each displacementdirection of each switch and letter inputtable by the displacementdirection is determined in correspondence with at least a movement or aposition of the articulatory organs at a time of pronouncing eachletter, that is, movements of a jaw, a throat, a tongue, or lips.

[0010] In addition, if it is rendered possible to operate the vowelswitch by a thumb, and the consonant switches by an index finger, amiddle finger, a ring finger and a little finger, it becomes possible toinput a desired letter by a single hand.

[0011] A letter alignment of the vowel switch is determined incorrespondence with a movement of articulatory organs at a time ofpronouncing a vowel letter, for example. In addition, a letter alignmentof the consonant switch is determined in correspondence with a movementof the articulatory organs at a time of pronouncing a sound (letter)different from the vowel, and a generating location of the consonantbetween a tongue and lips.

[0012] Thus, a relationship between the displacement directions of eachswitch and the input letter is determined in correspondence with themovement of the articulatory organs so that, even when forgetting theswitch for inputting the desired letter, it is still possible to easilyknow the switch to be operated from the movement of the articulatoryorgans. In addition, areas controlling responsible for sensation andmovement of a mouth and a hand are adjacent to each other in the humanbrain, and by describing a phonogram by a movement of a finger thatretains a topographic relationship with the movement of the mouth(articulatory organs) at a time of pronunciation, it becomes possible toquickly master (learn) a movement expression in a body coordinate.

[0013] According to the invention, the relationship between thedisplacement directions of each switch and the input letter correspondsat least to the movement of the articulatory organs at a time ofpronunciation. This enables to easily remember the relationship, andmaster an inputting-operation method in a short period of time. Inaddition, it is possible to easily input by a single hand, thus possibleto input at a high speed.

[0014] The above described objects and other objects, features, aspectsand advantages of the present invention will become more apparent fromthe following detailed description of the present invention when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is an illustrative view showing a key inputting device ofone embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is an illustrative view showing an arrangement of vowelsand consonants corresponding to a movement of articulatory organs in acase of pronouncing vowels and other sounds except the vowels;

[0017]FIG. 3 is a table showing an operating direction of a vowel switchand an alphabet to be input corresponding thereto in the FIG. 1embodiment; and

[0018]FIG. 4 is a table showing a relationship between consonantswitches and consonants input thereby in FIG. 1 embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR PRACTICING THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring to FIG. 1, a key inputting device 10 of this embodimentincludes a main body 12, and switches S1, S2, S3, S4, and S5 areprovided in the main body 12. As understood from FIG. 1, the switch S1is arranged on a side surface different from the other switches S2-S5,and the S2-S5 are arranged and aligned in a row on the same sidesurface.

[0020] As indicated by arrows (1)-(5) in FIG. 1, the switch S1 is aswitch displacable (operationable) in five directions, and therefore,the switch is capable of inputting five different pieces of information(in this embodiment, letter).

[0021] Furthermore, as indicated by arrows in FIG. 1, the switches S2-S5are switches operationable in three directions, and therefore, theswitches are capable of inputting three different letters.

[0022] Inputtable letters (in this embodiment, alphabet) are allotted toeach of the switches S1-S5, for example. It is noted that detaileddescriptions will be given later, and an allotment (letter alignment oralignment) is determined based on a movement or a position ofarticulatory organs, that is, a jaw, a throat, a tongue, a mouth in acase of delivering (pronouncing) the vowel or other sounds except thevowel.

[0023] Furthermore, the key inputting device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is adevice for inputting the letter by using a right hand, and the device 10is held by the right hand. More specifically, the switch S1 is a switchoperated by a thumb, the switch S2 is a switch operated by an indexfinger, the switch S3 is a switch operated by a middle finger, theswitch S4 is a switch operated by a ring finger, and the switch S5 is aswitch operated by a little finger.

[0024] Alphabets of “a”, “i”, “u”, “e”, and “o” are allotted to theswitch S1. That is, the switch S1 is a switch capable of inputting thevowel (vowel switch). The alignment or arrangement of the five alphabetsis determined in correspondence with a movement of the jaw and thetongue of people when pronouncing the vowel letter, for example.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, in a case that a person pronounces the vowel,and the position of the jaw and the tongue is considered the center of acase of pronouncing “o”, when pronouncing “i”, the jaw and the tongueare moved to an upper position (near the roof of mouth) than theposition of pronouncing “o”. Furthermore, in a case of pronouncing “a”,contrary to the case of pronouncing “i”, the position of the jaw and thetongue is moved to a lower position (far from the roof of mouth) than ina case of pronouncing “o”. In addition, in a case of pronouncing “u”,the position of the jaw and the tongue is moved to a forward position(lips side) than in a case of pronouncing “o”. Still furthermore, in acase of pronouncing “e”, the position of the jaw and the tongue is movedto a backward position (throat side) than in a case of pronouncing “o”.

[0026] Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, letters(alphabets) are allotted to the switch S1, that is, “a” is allotted in a(1) direction, “e” in a (2) direction, “i” in a (3) direction, “u” in a(4) direction, and “o” in a (5) direction as shown in FIG. 1,respectively.

[0027] It is noted that in FIG. 3, numerals indicating an operatingdirection of the switch S1 are written on the left side, and thealphabets to be input corresponding thereto are written on the rightside of the numerals.

[0028] On the other hand, in a case of pronouncing a sound (letter)except the vowel, a generating location of the consonant is aligned orarranged as shown in FIG. 2. Herein, the consonant is a sound generatedas a result of a breath that a human exhales being stricken against orcome into conflict with the lips, teeth, the tongue, and etc., and thegenerating location differs in space between the tongue and the lipsdepending upon the sound to be pronounced. The sound of m, b, and p isgenerated as a result of the lips being shut, and that of w, v, and f isgenerated as a result of the lips being narrowed, for example.Furthermore, the sound of l, d, t, and n is generated as a result of anend of the tongue touching the roof of the mouth, and that of z, and sis generated as result of the end of the tongue approaching the roof ofthe mouth. In addition, the sound of r, j, and y is generated as aresult of a center portion of the tongue approaching the roof of themouth, that of h is generated as a result of a back of the tongueapproaching the throat, and that of g, and k is generated as a result ofthe back of the tongue approaching the throat.

[0029] Furthermore, even in the same or approximately same generatinglocation, it is possible to distinguish the consonant by whether or nota respiratory passage is completely closed. In addition, it is evenpossible to divide into an unvoiced sound and voiced sound. In thisembodiment, regarding the alignment of the consonants shown in FIG. 2,the generating location of the alphabet shown to be vertically alignedis the same or approximately same, and even in the same generatinglocation, the alphabets shown in the center are the voiced sounds, andthe alphabets shown in the lower side are the unvoiced soundscorresponding thereto. Furthermore, the alphabets shown in the upperside are the consonants other than the above.

[0030] As a rule, the consonants are aligned according to such theprinciple, and there are, however, some portions where the alignmentdoes not necessarily comply with this principle.

[0031] It is noted that the alignment of the vowels and the consonants(letter alignment) shown in FIG. 2 is empirically obtained by theinventor of the present invention et al. through an experiment, andothers.

[0032] The alignment of the consonants shown in FIG. 2 is allotted tothe switches S2-S5, and by operating at least more than one switches ofS2-S5, it becomes possible to input the alphabets except the alphabetsof “a”, “i”, “u”, “e” and “o” . That is, the switches S2-S5 are switchescapable of inputting the consonant (consonant switch). Furthermore, suchthe alignment of the consonants is shown as in FIG. 4 based on FIG. 2.

[0033] Herein, as understood from FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, there areapproximately six generating locations of the consonants, and therefore,it is not possible to allot one switch corresponding to one generatinglocation. Thus, in this embodiment, by adopting an operating method ofsimultaneously operating adjacent two switches, the letter alignment ofthe consonants corresponding to the generating locations is allotted tothe switches S2-S5 (including S2+S3, S3+S4, S4+S5).

[0034] It is noted that regarding the alphabets “q”, “x”, and “c”, itspronunciation is so special that as shown in FIG. 2, it is not possibleto display (specify) the alignment as other alphabets. Therefore, thesealphabets are allotted to the switch S5.

[0035] Returning to FIG. 1, in the switch S2, a letter of “m” isallotted in the direction of (I), “b” in the direction of (II), and “p”in the direction of (III). Furthermore, in the switch S3, a letter of“I” is allotted in the direction of (I), “d” in the direction of (II),and “t” in the direction of (III). Moreover, in the switch S4, a letterof “r” is allotted in the direction of (I), “j” in the direction of(II), and “y” in the direction of (III). In addition, in the switch S5,a letter of “q” is allotted in the direction of (I), “x” in thedirection of (II), and “c” in the direction of (III).

[0036] Furthermore, in a case that both the switch S2 and the switch S3(S2+S3) are simultaneously operated, a letter “w” is allotted in thedirection (I), a letter “b” in the direction (II), and a letter “p” inthe direction (III), respectively. Likewise, in a case that both theswitch S3 and the switch S4 (S3+S4) are operated at the same time, aletter “n” is allotted in the direction (I), a letter “z” in thedirection (II), and a letter “s” in the direction (III), respectively.Furthermore, in a case that both the switch S4 and the switch S5 (S4+S5)are simultaneously operated, a letter “h” is allotted in the direction(I), a letter “g” in the direction (II), and a letter “k” in thedirection (III), respectively.

[0037] It is noted that in this embodiment, in a case that two switchesare operated at the same time, the two switches are displaced (operated)in the same direction.

[0038] In a case that the key inputting device 10 of this embodiment isused, for example, it is possible to input the alphabet and kana (aJapanese syllabary), or katakana (a square form of the kana). In a caseof inputting the alphabet, the letters are arranged as shown in FIG. 3and FIG. 4 so that one of the switches S1-S5 corresponding to thedesired alphabet may be selected and operated in a predetermineddirection. Therefore, in a case of inputting “dog”, the switch S3 may beoperated in the direction (I), the switch S1 may be operated in thedirection (II), and the switch S4 and the switch S5 may be operated inthe direction (III).

[0039] At this time, even in a case of forgetting to which directionwhich switch is operated in order to input the desired alphabet, it ispossible to easily know the direction by a movement (location) of thearticulatory organs (jaw, throat, tongue, lips) when pronouncing(delivering) the alphabet (in a case of the consonant, the letterincluding the alphabet).

[0040] Furthermore, areas for controlling responsible for sensation anda movement of a mouth and a hand are adjacent to each other in thebrain, and therefore, by expressing a phonogram by a movement of thefinger having a balanced phase relationship with the movement of themouth (articulatory organs) when delivering a sound, it is possible toquickly master (learn) a movement expression in a body coordinate.

[0041] In addition, in a case of inputting the kana and the katakana, aRoman alphabet inputting method, in which a Japanese letter is input inaccordance with the Roman alphabet, is adopted in this embodiment.Therefore, in a case of inputting “inu” (dog in English), for example,it is necessary to input “inu” in alphabet. More specifically, theswitch S1 may be operated in the (3) direction, the switch S3 and theswitch S4 may be operated in the (I) direction, and the switch S1 may beoperated in the (4) direction.

[0042] In this case, too, similar to the above, even in a case offorgetting in which direction which switch is operated in order to inputthe desired alphabet, it is possible to easily know the direction by themovement of the articulatory organs when delivering the alphabet (in acase of the consonant, the letter including the alphabet).

[0043] It is noted that in a case of the Roman alphabet inputtingmethod, it is also possible to input the consonant and the vowel at thesame time. That is, in a case of inputting “inu”, after operating theswitch S1 in the (3) direction, the switch S3 and the switch S4 areoperated in the (I) direction. At the same time, the switch S1 may beoperated in the (4) direction. In this case, compared to a case ofinputting the alphabet one by one, it is possible to input at a highspeed.

[0044] It is noted that the inputting mode such as the alphabetinputting, the kana inputting, the katakana inputting as described abovemay be selected (switched) in an apparatus (equipment) to which this keyinputting device 10 is applied, that is, a computer such as a notebookcomputer, or a handheld terminal such as a mobile phone, a PDA, and etc.

[0045] Furthermore, it is shown in this embodiment that inputtableinformation (letter) is limited to only 26 letters in alphabet. However,there are various operating (inputting) methods using at least more thantwo switches of S2-S5, and therefore, a numeral and an index, too, maybe input like a keyboard attached to a computer. In addition, it may beconsidered to input a function such as a switching of the inputtingmode, a Chinese character-to-Japanese character conversion, and etc.

[0046] When the switch S2 is operated in the (I) direction, and at thesame time, the switch S3 is operated in the (III) direction, forexample, it is possible to input “>”, for example. On the contrary, whenthe switch S2 is operated in the (III) direction, and at the same time,the switch S3 is operated in the (I) direction, it is possible to input“<”, for example.

[0047] In addition, in a case of the kana inputting mode, when theswitch S2, the switch S3, and the switch S4 are simultaneously operatedin the (II) direction after inputting the kana, it is also possible toconvert the kana (Japanese syllabary) into kanji (Chinese character) orkatakana (square form of the kana).

[0048] Furthermore, the selection (change) of the inputting mode such asthe alphabet inputting, the kana inputting, the katakana inputting, andetc. as described above may be executed by operating the switches S2-S5at the same time. By operating the switches S2-S5 in the (II) directionat the same time, for example, it is possible to select in order(sequentially) such as in the order of the alphabet inputting, the kanainputting, the katakana inputting, the alphabet, . . . . In addition, byoperating the switches S2-S5 in the (I) direction, it is also possibleto select the alphabet inputting, and by operating in the (II) directionat the same time, it is also possible to select the kana inputting.Furthermore, by operating in the (III) direction at the same time, it isalso possible to select the katakana inputting.

[0049] It is noted that regarding such the index, the numeral, thefunction, and the mode change, it is arbitrary to allot the switch, andthis is freely determined by a designer, and et al.

[0050] Furthermore, in addition to the inputtings such as the letter,the index, the numeral, the function, and the mode change as describedabove, it is also possible to delete (clear, backspace) a letter onceinput, and etc. by a function that combines more than two of theswitches S2-S5 a letter, and etc. that are once input.

[0051] Furthermore, although a detailed description is omitted in thisembodiment, the key inputting device 10 includes a key encoder (notshown), and the text information determined corresponding to thefunction of the switches S1-S5 may be transferred from the key encoderto an apparatus to which the key inputting device 10 is applied. Inaddition, it may be possible that an operating signal itselfcorresponding to the function of the switches S1-S5 is transferred tosuch the apparatus, and converted (encoded) into the text information ona device side.

[0052] According to this embodiment, the letter arrangement of theswitches (displacing direction) corresponds to at least the movement ofthe articulatory organs at a time of pronunciation of each letter (voweland consonant). Therefore, it is possible to easily remember, and masterthe inputting operation in a short period of time. In addition, it ispossible to input with a single hand, thus possible to input at a highspeed. Furthermore, one of the two hands is always not occupied. Inaddition, the device may be formed in such a manner as to be smallenough to be held by one hand so that it is possible to render thedevice quite small, compared to a conventional keyboard used for acomputer, and etc., and minimize the apparatus itself to which this keyinputting device is adapted.

[0053] It is noted that in this embodiment, although the key inputtingdevice is illustrated and described in a case of being operated by theright hand, it is possible to form a key inputting device of a case ofbeing operated by the left hand. Simply described, the key inputtingdevice 10 shown in FIG. 1 may be formed in a plane symmetry manner,rendering the center a surface parallel to a side surface of the mainbody 12 on which the switches S2-S4 are arranged.

[0054] In addition, in this embodiment, although the main body 12 of thekey inputting device 10 is shown by a simple quadratic prism, the body12 may be formed in a such a form easily to be held by a (right) hand.Similarly, the switches S1-S5 may be formed in a manner that its movableportion is easily operated by a finger. To the switches S2-S5, it isconsidered to adapt a switch such as a so-called jog dial, for example.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, although only the key inputtingdevice is described, such the key inputting device is adaptable to acomputer, a handheld terminal, and etc. In addition, if ingenuity isgiven to a handling of input information (alphabet), this device is alsousable as an interface of a game machine, an electric music instrument,and etc.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described and illustratedin detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way ofillustration and example only and is not to be taken by way oflimitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limitedonly by the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A key inputting device provided with a pluralityof switches for inputting a plurality of letters, and capable of atleast inputting the letter by operating one, or two or more switches,wherein each of said plurality of switches is displacable in a pluralityof directions, and displacement directions of each switch are allottedto directions at least determined by a movement of articulatory organsat a time of pronouncing each letter.
 2. A key inputting deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said plurality of switches include onevowel switch for inputting vowels, and a plurality of consonant switchesfor inputting consonants, said vowel switch is displacable in fivedirections, and each direction is allotted to vowels respectivelydifferent with each other, and each of said consonant switches isdisplacable at least in three directions, and each direction is allottedto consonants respectively different with each other.
 3. A key inputtingdevice according to claim 2, wherein said vowel switch is provided insuch a manner as to be operated by a thumb, and said plurality ofconsonant switches are provided in such a manner as to be operated by atleast one or more of an index finger, a middle finger, a ring finger,and a little finger.
 4. A key inputting device according to claim 2 or3, wherein a relationship between the displacement directions of saidvowel switch and the vowels corresponding thereto is determined incorrespondence with a movement of articulatory organs when pronouncingeach vowel.
 5. A key inputting device according to any one of claims 2to 4, wherein a relationship between each displacement direction of saidplurality of consonant switches and the consonant corresponding theretois determined in correspondence with a movement of articulatory organswhen pronouncing the consonant and a generating location of saidconsonant between a tongue and lips.
 6. A key inputting device providedwith a plurality of switches for inputting a plurality of letters, andcapable of at least inputting the letter by operating one, or two ormore switches, wherein an arrangement of said plurality of switches isallotted to a location determined by at least a movement of articulatoryorgans when pronouncing each letter.